Adaptive Sports Assistant Instructor

Job Details: Job Location: Both - UES and BPC - New York, NY, Position Type: Part Time, Salary Range: $25.00Hourly, Job Category: Nonprofit, About Asphalt GreenAsphalt Green is a nonprofit organization that transforms lives and builds community through sports, fitness, and play for all. Each year, Asphalt Green serves thousands of New Yorkers through sports, aquatics, fitness, camps, and community programs that promote health, personal growth, and lifelong participation in physical activity. Across three campuses and numerous community partnerships, Asphalt Green is committed to providing high-quality programs that are inclusive, accessible, and rooted in excellence. Asphalt Green believes that access to movement, sport, and wellness can change lives. Our work helps young people develop confidence, resilience, leadership skills, and healthy habits that extend far beyond the playing field.  About the RoleAsphalt Green is seeking a compassionate, energetic, and dependable Adaptive Sports Assistant Instructor to support children and teens in our adaptive and inclusive programming. Assistant Instructors work alongside Lead Instructors and program staff to help neurodivergent and disabled youth participate successfully in sports, fitness, and movement-based activities. Depending on the program, instructors may support classes including Playground Pathways: Youth Fitness Training, Everyone Swims, Everyone Plays: Basketball, and Everyone Plays: Soccer. This is a hands-on, participant-facing role that may include providing individualized support, helping participants transition between activities, reinforcing instructions, encouraging social interaction and confidence, and adapting support based on each participant’s needs.  Why This Role MattersThe Adaptive Sports Assistant Instructor plays an important role in helping children feel supported, included, and successful in sports, fitness, and recreational programming. By working closely with lead instructors and participants, this role helps create an environment where children can build confidence, develop physical skills, strengthen social connections, and enjoy meaningful movement experiences.  What You’ll DoAdaptive Class Support  Support adaptive and inclusive classes including Playground Pathways: Youth Fitness Training, Everyone Swims, Everyone Plays: Basketball, and Everyone Plays: Soccer.  Work alongside Lead Instructors and program staff to support safe, engaging, and organized classes.  Provide individualized assistance based on participant needs, goals, and comfort level.  Help participants understand instructions and successfully engage in activities.  Encourage participation, communication, confidence, social interaction, and skill development.  Assist participants with transitions between activities and class components.  Adapt support based on direction from the Lead Instructor or program leadership.  Help maintain a positive, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all participants.  Participant Support  Provide hands-on support to neurodivergent children and children with developmental disabilities as needed.  Help participants remain engaged, regulated, and included during programming.  Use patience, empathy, encouragement, and positive reinforcement when working with participants.  Support physical, social, and emotional development through structured activities and play.  Communicate participant needs, concerns, or observations to the lead instructor or program leadership.  Class Setup and Program Operations  Assist with setting up equipment, materials, and activity spaces before class.  Help organize, clean, and store equipment and materials after programming.  Support smooth class transitions and overall program flow.  Help maintain safe and organized program spaces.  Follow program procedures, safety expectations, and staff instructions.  Team and Department Support  Collaborate with lead instructors and other staff to support smooth class operations.  Communicate clearly and respectfully with staff, participants, families, and program leadership.  Participate in required trainings, meetings, or program preparation as assigned.  Support Asphalt Green’s adaptive programming standards and inclusive practices.  Represent Asphalt Green professionally and positively at all program locations.   What Success Looks LikeSuccess in this role means participants feel supported, included, and able to engage meaningfully in class activities. A successful Adaptive Sports Assistant Instructor will:  Provide reliable and thoughtful support to lead instructors.  Help participants engage safely and positively in adaptive programming.  Respond to individual needs with patience, empathy, and flexibility.  Support smooth class setup, transitions, and cleanup.  Maintain a positive and inclusive program environment.  Communicate clearly with instructors and program staff.  Follow program expectations, safety procedures, and adaptive practices.  Contribute to a strong participant and family experience.   Who You’ll Work WithThe Adaptive Sports Assistant Instructor works closely with lead instructors, Adaptive Program leadership, Community Programs staff, participants, families, and other Asphalt Green team members. This role may support different programs, instructors, and locations based on program needs. Qualifications: Required QualificationsYou’ll need:  Experience working with children in a recreational, educational, sports, fitness, camp, or community-based setting.  Experience working with children with diverse abilities, developmental disabilities, neurodivergent participants, or other support needs.  Experience supporting inclusive or adaptive activities.  Patience, empathy, flexibility, and a positive attitude.  Strong communication and interpersonal skills.  Ability to follow instructor direction and work collaboratively as part of a team.  Ability to support active programming and participant needs in real time.  Dependability and professionalism.  Ability to perform the physical requirements of the role with or without reasonable accommodation.   Preferred QualificationsIt would be helpful if you also have:  Background or coursework in adaptive physical education, therapeutic recreation, special education, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, social work, recreation, sports, or a related field.  Experience supporting adaptive sports, fitness, aquatics, recreation, or movement-based programming.  Experience working in programs such as soccer, martial arts, swim, yoga, gym, or recreation.  CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain.  Experience using positive behavior support strategies.  Bilingual or multilingual language skills.   Schedule and Work EnvironmentThis is a part-time, in-person role. The schedule will vary based on assigned classes, program needs, and location. Programming may take place at Asphalt Green facilities, community sites, gyms, pools, athletic spaces, classrooms, or other recreation environments. This role requires regular interaction with children, instructors, staff, and families in active program settings.  Physical RequirementsThis role may require the ability to:  Stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, and move throughout active program spaces.  Support participants during movement-based activities and transitions.  Demonstrate or assist with basic sports, fitness, or recreational movements.  Set up, move, and organize light program equipment and materials.  Communicate clearly in active and sometimes noisy environments.  Respond quickly to participant needs or safety concerns.  Work in indoor and outdoor recreation, sports, fitness, and aquatics environments.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.